Campaign to prevent waste clogging sewer

“We need to get the message out there to places like schools,” said Francis Smith, chair of Lancing Regeneration.

“People must know the three ‘p’s that they can put down the drain – poo, pee and paper waste.”

The three ‘p’s is part of Southern Water’s ‘Pain in the Drain’ campaign designed to educate residents on what they can and cannot flush down the toilet.

This giant step forward follows an ongoing petition that has attracted the attention of more than 2,000 resident signatures, many from those that have complained about waste like sanitary towels and condoms polluting the beach.

Mrs Smith, who has been leading the campaign, said she is pleased to be helping Southern Water spread the word, after sanitary waste – the equivalent of four elephants – was removed from the local sewer network recently.

“I think we’re moving forward,” said Francis. “The community has got to do their part and we have to take it into schools so children can be told what can be tipped down the lavatory.”

Last month, MP Tim Loughton and Mrs Smith met with representatives at Southern Water to see how the overflow of water during heavy rainfall can be prevented.

A Southern Water spokesman told the Herald: “We are delighted that the Lancing Regeneration group is keen to help us promote our Pain in the Drain campaign.

“The campaign warns people of the impact that flushing away items such as sanitary products and wet wipes can have on bathing waters. These items, which should be put in the bin, clog up customers’ pipes and the wastewater network – causing blockages, flooding and pollutions.

“During heavy rain, sewers can become flooded and excess flows of rainwater mixed with wastewater have to be released to sea to protect homes and businesses from flooding.

For more details on the campaign, visit www.southernwater.co.uk/pain-in-the-drain